AUTH/1882/8/06: General Practitioner v Sanofi-Aventis – Acomplia (rimonabant) MIMS page tag ruled an advertisement | PMCPA Case

📊

Key facts

⌄

Case	AUTH/1882/8/06
Complainant	General practitioner
Company	Sanofi-Aventis
Product	Acomplia (rimonabant)
Material	Detachable page tag attached to a full-page MIMS advertisement
Main issue	Tag showed brand name only; lacked approved (non-proprietary) name and (as ruled) required prescribing information
Panel finding	Tag was an advertisement and had to stand alone; could not rely on PI in the adjacent advertisement
Breach clauses	Clause 4.1 and Clause 4.3
Sanctions	Undertaking received
Complaint received	09 August 2006 (site) / 10 August 2006 (report)
Case completed	25 September 2006 (site) / 26 September 2006 (report)
Appeal	No appeal
Applicable Code year	2006

Reviewed by Dr Anzal Qurbain (FFPM) — ABPI Final Signatory

🤖

Got a question about this case?

Ask one of our 13 specialist ABPI advisors — instant answers, 24/7.

Ask AskAnzal AI

🎬 Expert Video Walkthrough

🎬

Video walkthrough — coming for members

Subscribe now and get expert video analysis for every case as we publish them.

Subscribe — from £299/yr

📋

⌄

A general practitioner complained about an Acomplia (rimonabant) page tag issued by Sanofi-Aventis and attached to a full-page MIMS advertisement for Acomplia.
The tag featured only the brand name “Acomplia” and did not include the approved (non-proprietary) name.
Sanofi-Aventis argued the tag was a reusable minor stationery item/promotional aid (Clause 18.3) and therefore could carry the brand name only.
The Panel considered the tag’s purpose was to draw attention to the advertisement; it was detachable and a separate item.

⚖️

⌄

The Panel ruled the page tag constituted an advertisement.
As a standalone detachable item, it required the non-proprietary name and prescribing information and could not rely on the prescribing information in the adjacent MIMS advertisement.
Breaches were ruled.
No appeal.

🔒

Members get the complete breakdown — Clauses, Sanction, Signatory Lens, Audit checklist, and 3 Key Questions.

Best value

£249/year

Annual — save £99

£29/mo

Monthly

Join Now — Instant Access